My Stavanger

What to say about Stavanger? How to explain the smell of the sea, the sound of rain drops on the water, the cries of seagulls and the old wooden houses reflecting in the windows of modern buildings? How can we explain amazing taste of the fresh shrimps and a ray of sunshine on a sweaty glass of local beer? It is impossible to understand what you did not see - the horizontal rains and wind storms, springs with almost the southern sun and the dark snowless winters. And of course the people who live here in harmony with the nature and taking it for what it is, because there is no bad weather - only the wrong clothes.

In compassion with other European cities Stavanger very small, but it is a Great Town with long history. Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway. The history of the city goes back to the deep Middle Ages. Once Stavanger was a quiet trading town by the sea, and then became an important fishing port. Than became a biggest center of the fish canning industry. Discovery of the oil field off the coast of Norway in 1969 forever changed the fate and landscape of the city, filling it with an ebullient life.

Surrounded on one side by the sea, and on the other by fjords, Stavanger is located on a peninsula, on the shores of the North Sea. The area where the city is located is rich in natural landscapes. There are mountains, forests and bays. What distinguishes Stavanger from other Norwegian cities is the warm climate. In this regard, beach entertainment is widespread in the city. So every summer in the city is the World Beach Volleyball Championship. The sandy beaches of Stavanger are not only the most beautiful in Norway, but also the largest in length. The most popular beach of Stavanger, rightly considered Solastranden.

As in most Norwegian cities, the cultural life of Stavanger closely intertwined medieval and modern industrial cities. Stavanger, rightfully called the most beautiful city in Norway. In Stavanger the economy, culture and natural beauty merged into one perfect union.

The date of foundation of Stavanger is considered to be 1125 year. Because of the construction in the city of the cathedral and the establishment of the episcopate, Stavanger becomes the administrative center of the district. But after the church reform in 1536, Stavanger loses the status of a religious center and becomes just a small settlement of 3,000 people. In 1880 a new type of industry appeared in the city - canning. This gave a strong impulse to the city development. In 1920, there were 40,000 people living in Stavanger and 70 canneries. In 1965, the industry completely stood up, and all the factories (except one that became a museum) in the city were closed. A new development leap in the city began in 1969, when oil was found in the vicinity of the city. After that, Stavanger was awarded the title of the oil capital of Norway. The city began to open oil producing and oil and gas companies, which led to the rapid development of the city.

Here is most well known places around Stavanger. It is like places you have to visit before you die. One or two days will be enough for active tourist. It is just a small top of iceberg of interesting things you can discover here day by day. We will try to show little bit different Stavanger.